A British submarine has arrived in the Arabian Sea
The nuclear-powered submarine HMS Anson, equipped with Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles with a range of up to 1,000 miles and Spearfish heavy torpedoes, left the port of Perth on 6 March. According to military sources, it is heading for the northern part of the Arabian Sea, reports The Daily Mail.
In the event of an escalation of the conflict, British forces will be able to strike targets within Iran.
Earlier, Downing Street reported that Prime Minister Keir Starmer had agreed to the use of British bases by the United States to strike Iranian targets that had carried out attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, US forces were only permitted to use these bases for defensive operations.
The list of targets has now been expanded to protect vessels in the shipping lane on the basis of collective self-defence.
The submarine HMS Anson, which has travelled 5,500 miles from the west coast of Australia, is on standby awaiting orders. To maintain communication, it surfaces approximately once a day to transmit data to the command centre at Northwood.
According to defence sources, the order to launch the missiles may be given by the Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Nick Perry, with the Prime Minister’s approval. The submarine will then surface and fire a salvo of four missiles.
The submarine is based at Faslane in Scotland. It does not have a standard periscope, but uses a video system to observe the surface.
Its nuclear reactor does not require refuelling during its 25-year service life. Water and air purification systems allow for prolonged underwater stays, though its autonomy is limited by a three-month food supply for the 98-strong crew.
According to one source, the submarine can remain in a designated area for several weeks. If necessary, it operates in silent mode.
The UK Ministry of Defence does not comment on the location of HMS Anson. The ministry stated that it does not provide detailed information on operations or deployments and is constantly reviewing its capabilities in the region.
